Rajya Sabha member Dr Amar Patnaik presented his third year progress card recently. On his third eventful year from July 4, 2021 to July 3, 2022, he raised many vital issues.
His relentless efforts paid off when Rs 1,726.80 crore was released from the Ministry of Surface Transport under Central Road Infrastructure Fund. Besides, he was instrumental in getting released Rs 2,500 crore as subsidy to the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation on paddy/ rice procurement.
He has earned accolades by dint of his active participation in parliamentary performances. Currently, he is a member of Standing Committee on Finance, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Personal Data Protection Bill, Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Rajya Sabha, Consultative Committee on Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Member of Research Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha and Member of Governing Board, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
Participating on key debates, he has touched the crux of the matters relating to issues on Finance Bill 2022, Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill 2022. It was he, who has suggested to the Union Minister of Textiles to cover handloom under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Yojana for which he received kudos from many quarters. By raising important questions on the floor of the Upper House concerning legal aid to the disabled, diversion of forest land, strengthening of PRIs, air pollution in Delhi NCR, key initiatives on artificial intelligence, forest land diversion for non-forest activity and construction activities on Mahanadi river, Patnaik became the cynosure of all eyes in the House. He stood firm and unbending in the House by flagging important issues to Union Ministers on important national and State issues. He has also made his mark while participating in national TV channels and contributed profusely to the national English dailies.
As a noted parliamentarian, he was invited to attain many international seminars such as UNITE Global Board Meeting at Morocco, IT Entrepreneurs in Chicago, USA, the Energy Policy Institute, the University of Chicago and UNITE – Global Parliamentarians Network. As a precursor of many changes, he has taken up significant works under MPLADS like introducing e-ambulance in Sundargarh district, opening of ARC extension centre at NTPC hospital in Sundargarh and restoration of old books of famous Kanika library at Ravenshaw University under the scheme. He has also taken lead in sector specific initiatives like strengthening agricultural farmers programme, women empowerment and providing handloom and handicrafts support to the artisans. Having had an exciting visit to the World Economic Forum at Geneva, he offered an excellent presentation on WEF’s support to agriculture and handloom in Odisha.